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The City of Irvine has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). The award represents the highest form of recognition in government budgeting for a municipal entity.
“The City of Irvine being recognized with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, is a testament of the deliberate strategy set forth by the Irvine Master Plan more than half a century ago and the diligence of the Irvine city management team,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “The Chamber’s Board of Directors and professional staff congratulates the Irvine...

The community is invited to the grand opening of Portola Springs Community Park, 4 - 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26. Join City of Irvine officials for the dedication of the City’s newest community center, which features more than 14,000 square feet including a multipurpose room, expansive patio area, two classrooms, and a Native American Wing. The 32-acre community park features a nature-themed playground, native garden, two lighted softball fields, two lighted soccer fields, one warm-up field, one sand volleyball court, six lighted pickleball courts, three lighted tennis courts, and a concession building.
The dedication event will feature:
Self-guided tours of the facility
Cultural...

The City of Irvine, in partnership with Orange County United Way, is offering free tax preparation services to taxpayers who earned less than $60,000 in 2018. Qualifying taxpayers who live, work, or attend school in Irvine can receive help filing their taxes from IRS-trained and certified volunteers, who will also assist eligible taxpayers in applying for tax credits, including the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC).
Free tax-preparation services are available at Cypress Community Park, 255 Visions in Irvine, from February 5 to April 11. An appointment is required; no walk-ins will be accepted. Call Orange County United Way...

“Irvine has held the status of the Safest City of its size in America by the FBI for 13 consecutive years. It is no surprise to learn that our city is now ranked among the top ten safest cities in the world,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber. “This accomplishment is in large part the result of a visionary Irvine Master Plan set forth more than a half a century ago, excellent city management, a world-class police department, and engaged residents and business leaders that take pride in their community.”
According to a recent statistical analysis by CEOWORLD...

Whether you’re practicing triple salchows or tying your laces for the first time, the new Great Park Ice facility is open for public skating sessions as of Wednesday, Jan. 2.
The long anticipated 280,000-square-foot rink – part of the Anaheim Ducks RINKS network – has been under construction since February 2017.
Though two of the four ice sheets, a restaurant and Ducks team store aren’t quite finished, the public is invited to check out the facility and take a whirl on the two completed ice sheets, said Art Trottier, vice president of the Anaheim Ducks RINKS, which runs ice facilities in Anaheim and four...

A Message from Greater Irvine Chamber President and CEO Bryan Starr
As the Greater Irvine Chamber celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, the organization’s professional staff and Board of Directors continues its work to support the Irvine Master Plan and to advance the economic vitality of greater Irvine.
Through its numerous programs and events, the Greater Irvine Chamber convenes thousands of business leaders every year to build long-lasting professional relationships.The Greater Irvine Chamber has partnered with Irvine’s highly-ranked schools and 15 colleges and universities on programs that help ensure a sustainable talent pipeline for Irvine companies. Partnerships with accelerators such as UCI...

The Greater Irvine Chamber’s January Economic Vitality Council (EVC) meeting will include a special opportunity for business and community leaders to meet with Irvine’s city management team as they provide an update on their plans for the upcoming year.
“We are very excited to have the Irvine city management team visit the Chamber and share their vision and progress in-person with all our hard-working chamber and committee members. It’s a valuable opportunity for all those working to support the economic health of Irvine to listen, learn and collaborate further" said Linda DiMario, executive vice president, Greater Irvine Chamber.
Irvine City Manager John Russo will...

Looking back on 2018, it’s clear that Irvine’s Master Plan has created a city built to succeed.
This year’s accomplishments touch almost every aspect of life — schools, safety, family, jobs and open space.
“This didn’t happen by chance,” says Bryan Starr, president of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. “Irvine was master planned to succeed.”
As the city prepares for its 47th birthday on Dec. 28, one thing is clear: Irvine is hitting its stride.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Lilyengren.
HERE’S THE YEAR IN REVIEW:
In January, Irvine was named the most fiscally sound city in America by The Fiscal Times.
In April, about 300 people gathered...

Analysis of more than 115M Internet speed tests reveals that Irvine, California, has the best broadband in the country, with an average download speed of 124Mbps and an upload speed of 52Mbps.
Unsurprisingly, that was on Google Fiber, as were most of the top 10 cities, shown below.
Speed test company Ookla said that it calculated the rankings by using a weighted average of upload and download speeds.
When analyzing fastest ISPs, Ookla considers top providers (all ISPs with 3 percent or more of total test samples in the market for the period). The company then determines the fastest provider using Speed Score which...

Donald P. Wagner was sworn in for a second term as the City of Irvine’s Mayor, and newly elected Councilmembers Farrah N. Khan and Anthony Kuo were sworn in to office on Dec. 11 in front of a capacity audience during the City Council meeting at the recently renovated Council Chamber.
"The Greater Irvine Chamber is enthusiastic about our new city leadership. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the city as we work to enhance the economic vitality of Irvine," said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber.
Mayor Wagner was sworn in for a two-year term, while Councilmembers...

With the holiday season in full swing, shopping and dining activity is, too. The #ShopIrvine initiative reminds Irvine residents that their sales tax dollars support programs that benefit all of the city’s citizens.
“As a resident of Irvine, it makes sense to shop and dine here because tax dollars generated go toward our many fine services such as education, infrastructure, parks and open spaces, and police, which help to keep Irvine’s status as the safest big city in America,” said Bryan Starr, president and CEO, Greater Irvine Chamber.
It’s not just the holiday season that makes the timing of the #ShopIrvine initiative...

The Irvine City Council will consider approval of an Irvine Sunshine Ordinance that would expand review time of nearly all upcoming agenda items to 12 days – which is four times longer than California law requires. The proposed ordinance will be heard during the City Council meeting beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23. An ordinance requires a second reading, which would be Nov. 13.
“The 12-day window allows every community member the time they need to review agenda items thoroughly,” said City Manager John Russo. California’s open meeting law, the Brown Act, requires an agenda be posted a mere 72...